Neosho Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report -
Waterfowl numbers
Hunters can check in here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. Check-in / check-out is required for all hunters!
NO ENTRY (by foot, boat, etc) INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER SUNSET (LEGAL SHOOTING TIME).

Duck species present on area consist of Wood Ducks, Blue and Green Winged Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Pintail and a mix of divers.  There are also Canada, White-fronted and Snow Geese utilizing the area. 

Water level

The SE part of the state is still in need of some rain.  Pool elevations are normal or slightly above average and staff will continue to stage up throughout the hunting season.      

Flood irrigation began in the hunting pools on July 13th and finished up August 2.  This was done to help preserve habitat, promote seed production, invertebrate production and keep moist soil plants from burning up.  Pump is currently on and are doing a stage up in all pools.  

Please see area news for habitat conditions

Boats are NOT required to hunt Neosho. Walk-in hunting is readily available with very few areas over knee deep. Hunters should take caution during the regular waterfowl season wading the boat lane (south end) in Pool 1 (tractor roads/foot crossings are in place); the very east side of 2A, and the oxbow area of 2B.

Slow water drawdowns have begun to provide high quality spring migration feeding areas 

Pool 1- 300 Acres

Pool 2A- 130 Acres

Pool 2B- 165 acres

Pool 3 (Refuge)- 475 acres

Pool 4A- 90 Acres   Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only

Pool 4B- 57 Acres   Walk in and non-motorized boat hunting only

Pool 5-  Lower Pool is near full, Middle pool is near full, upper pool is near full.   

Pool 6-  Dry

Pool 7-  Dry

Pool 8-  20 Acres  Please remember that this pool is youth/mentor ONLY on weekends and holidays. 

Pool 9-  Dry 

South Unit- Near full and will not pump any more  

 

    

Hunting conditions

SE Zone waterfowl season Nov. CURRENTLY CLOSED will re-open Jan. 13th to 28th

***We had a hunter lose a gun along the roadway in the wildlife area...If you found one please report to area office @ 620-449-2539***

Habitat is looks extremely good, seed production was high and the vegetation is fairly tall and rank, so what water we have will be hard to see until vegetation begins to break down.  Pool elevations are good with lots of 12"water and we will continue to stage up through the hunting season. 

     

Please see the area news page for a breakdown of habitat types within each pool. 

 

Expected hunting success
SE ZONE REGULAR SEASON CURRENTLY CLOSED 

***We had a hunter lose a gun along the roadway in the wildlife area...If you happened to find one please report to area office @ 620-449-2539***

Please be respectful of other hunters and allow space between hunting parties. 

We want to thank everyone for the continued cooperation with utilizing our new electronic check-in/out system. The agency continues to work diligently on improving the new system and are confident it will be working for the upcoming waterfowl season. Area staff look at and manipulate this data in many different ways to make management decisions for upcoming years and to also look at what management strategies worked during the hunting season.    

Comments
ATTENTION: Federal waterfowl stamps purchased online are only valid for 45 days after purchase. After 45 days of being purchased the actual stamp must be in your possession, signed across the face of the stamp, while hunting!
Reminder: Motorized watercraft are prohibited on the wildlife area until the day season opens. (5:00am, November 5,2022 for regular duck season.)
DAILY REGULATION:  NO ENTRY INTO THE MARSH (water) BY ANY HUNTER UNTIL 5:00AM AND MUST BE OUT OF THE MARSH BY 1 HOUR AFTER LEGAL SHOOTING TIME.   

DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PUBLIC LAND IN KANSAS

All Boating regulations are enforced! (Lifejackets must be out and accessible, navigation lights, etc.)
All boats must operate at no wake speeds within boating canals (signs are posted)
No shooting is allowed from interior dikes
Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hr before sunrise to SUNSET!
Required Licenses/stamps: Hunting License, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, Kansas State Stamp, and Kansas H.I.P. Stamp. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required licenses/stamps. You MUST also check in and check out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials or download the "GoOutdoors KS" app. 
Waterfowl hunting in Pool 8 is restricted to youth hunters and their mentor on weekends and holidays. There must be at least one youth per adult if the adult is hunting. (You can't have 5 adults and one youth). This applies during the Youth and Veterans season, this pool is for youth only during youth and veterans season, unless the veteran is taking a youth hunting.
Atv's of any kind are not allowed on the area (side by sides, utv's, amphibious vehicles, "argos"; this includes electric bicycles)
Campgrounds on the area are Primitive campground. (No electric, No water) Take your trash with you!!

Please remember to fill out the permit with accurate information. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE AREA. FILL OUT ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL HARVEST EFFORTS, each individual hunter needs to check in/out and report his/her harvest totals. i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL.